Best Cheap Phone: Value for Money in 2024

Buying a cheap phone has gotten much better in the past decade. Now, you don’t have to settle for a bad experience. Phones in the lower price range come with features like wireless charging, 5G, and long battery life.

What is the best inexpensive cell phone now?

I recommend the OnePlus 12R as the top choice. It beats the Google Pixel 8a in many areas. The OnePlus 12R is a better choice for those who value these features.

Plus, OnePlus offers a $100 discount if you trade in any phone. This makes the $399 OnePlus 12R an even better deal than the Pixel 8a. Here are my other top picks for the best cheap phones.

The best cheapest cell phone of 2024

• OnePlus 12R
• Google Pixel 8a
• Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
• Motorola Moto G Power 5G
• Samsung Galaxy A15 5G

OnePlus 12R

Best cheap phone overall

The OnePlus 12R has taken the crown from the Google Pixel A-series as the budget king. It was launched in February alongside the OnePlus 12. This made the mid-range phone stand out with its features similar to the more expensive model.

It boasts an LTPO 4.0 display that can get as bright as 4,500 nits. It also has a large 5,500mAh battery and 80W SuperVOOC charging. All these features make it a great deal at $499.

OnePlus managed to keep the price low by using an older processor, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. But surprisingly, it still performs well for everyday used the phone for a month and was impressed with its performance and features.

The 50MP camera system is good but not the best in low light. However, it excels in most other conditions. The phone also charges super fast, from 0% to 100% in just 40 minutes. Many Best Buy customers love this feature.

Google Pixel 8a

Best cheap camera phone

The Google Pixel 8a is a top pick for those who value camera quality, software updates, and security. It’s not the best for display, performance, or battery life, but it’s great for its price.

The phone has a 6.1-inch, 120Hz OLED display that’s perfect for watching videos and browsing the web. It’s smaller, making it easier to use with one hand but with limited viewing angles. People often choose Pixel phones for their clean software, AI features, and excellent cameras.

The Pixel 8a offers great value for its price. This phone camera, has “sharp and vibrant” photos. Amazon users also love it, Customer said, “I chose (the Pixel 8a) because of the camera, and it did not disappoint.”

The Pixel 8a stands out for its seven years of OS upgrades, Pixel Feature Drops, and security patches. This ensures it stays up-to-date until at least 2031. This is rare in the mid-range market and a big plus for those who care about updates.

Samsung Galaxy A35 5G

Best cheap Samsung phone

The Galaxy A35 5G is a top pick for its price. It offers a 6.6-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a triple-camera setup with a 50MP main sensor, and a 5,000mAh battery.

Samsung knows what people want. The Galaxy A35 5G has a glass backing, a better Exynos chipset, and a better camera system than the A34 5G. Reddit users love its battery life.

The A-series phones get five years of software and security updates. This is a big plus over Motorola and OnePlus phones. If you’re sticking with Samsung, the A35 5G is the best budget option.

Motorola Moto G Power 5G

Best cheap phone under $100

If you’re on a tight budget, the Motorola Moto G Power 5G is a great choice. It’s under $300 and packed with features. You get a lot of battery life, performance, and unique features that Motorola fans will love.

Motorola’s user interface is one of my favorites “It has a stock look and feel with handy gestures and system enhancements.” The phone has gestures like “twist” for the camera and “chop” for the flashlight. It also has a vegan leather back panel for a classy look.

The Moto G Power 5G is known for its battery life. It has a 5,000mAh battery and a power-efficient processor. You also get a 3.5mm headphone jack as a bonus.

Samsung Galaxy A15 5G

Best cheap phone under $150

The Samsung Galaxy A15 5G is a great choice for those on a budget. It offers 5G connectivity, a huge 5,000mAh battery, and a price of just $199. This makes it a smart choice for anyone looking to save money.

The Galaxy A15 5G has impressive specs for its price. It features a 6.5-inch 90Hz AMOLED display, expandable storage up to 1TB, and a four-year security patch commitment. It also has a 5MP ultra-wide camera, an upgrade from last year’s 2MP macro lens.

After testing the Galaxy A15 5G for a week, I found it to be surprisingly good. The 90Hz display is great for browsing and navigating. A Best Buy customer review sums it up well: “(Galaxy A15 5G) is a $200 phone… It’s not gonna blow you away, but for the price, it packs a punch.

Price and Comparision

Pros & Cons Best Cheap Phones

Looking for a budget-friendly phone? Check out the top picks for 2024. These phones offer great features at affordable prices.

1. Samsung Galaxy A15 5G

The Samsung Galaxy A15 5G is a top choice for those on a budget. It has a 6.5-inch LCD screen and a 90Hz refresh rate. The battery lasts all day, and it comes with 4GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage.

It has a 50MP main camera, a 5MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro lens. The front camera is 13MP. It’s powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6400+ processor.

Pros: price, large screen, and long battery life.
Cons: plastic build, limited storage, and decent processor.

2. Google Pixel 8a

The Google Pixel 8a is great for those who love Google’s software and camera quality. It has a 6.1-inch OLED screen and a 4,500mAh battery, charging quickly with 18W. It comes with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The camera setup includes a 12.2MP main lens and an 8MP ultra-wide lens. It’s powered by a mid-range processor.

Pros: camera, software, and charging speed.
Cons: processor and limited storage.

3. OnePlus 12R

The OnePlus 12R is a top pick for those who want a fast phone. It has a 6.78-inch AMOLED screen and a 5,500mAh battery and charges quickly with 80W with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The camera setup includes a 50MP main lens, a 16MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro lens. It’s powered by a fast processor.

Pros: performance, camera, and charging speed.
Cons: price and limited storage.

4. Motorola Moto G Power 5G

The Motorola Moto G Power 5G Best inexpensive cell phone and this is great for those who need a long-lasting battery. It has a 6.7-inch LCD screen and a 5,000mAh battery. It charges quickly with 30W with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The camera setup includes a 48MP main lens, a 2MP macro lens, and a 2MP depth sensor. It’s powered by a mid-range processor.

Pros: battery life and charging speed.
Cons: processor and limited storage.

5. Samsung Galaxy A35 5G

The Samsung Galaxy A35 5G is a budget-friendly option with a 6.6-inch AMOLED screen. It has a 4,500mAh battery and charges quickly with 25W with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The camera setup includes a 13MP main lens, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 5MP depth sensor. It’s powered by a mid-range processor.

Pros: screen, battery, and camera.
Cons: processor and limited storage.

6. Samsung Galaxy A15 5G

The Samsung Galaxy A15 5G is an inexpensive cell phone budget-friendly option with a 6.5-inch LCD screen. It has a 5,000mAh battery and charges quickly with 25W.

It comes with 4GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage. The camera setup includes a 50MP main lens, a 5MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro lens. It’s powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6400+ processor.

Pros: price, screen, and battery life.
Cons: plastic build, limited storage, and decent processor.

These are the top picks for 2024. Each phone offers great features at affordable prices. Choose the one that fits your needs.

Factors to consider when buying a cheap phone

When shopping for a new cheap phone, here are the factors that you should consider:

• Budget: The definition of “budget” and “cheap” will vary from person to person, but the way I perceive it is what product gives you the best bang for your buck. All the phones listed in this guide have been tested by Mobile IDM’s team of mobile experts and offer more value than their price points suggest.
• Memory and storage: As is the case with any phone of any price, you should keep in mind how much memory and storage you’ll need. Many budget handsets come with as low as 64GB of base storage — the iPhone SE (2022) included. If you frequently take pictures and videos, play games, or download content for offline use, consider a phone with at least 128GB of storage or MicroSD card support.
• Battery life: Beyond a good screen, you’ll want a phone that can last. Ideally, you’ll want a phone that can withstand at least one full day of usage and can charge fast.

Mobileidm review team spends upwards of a year testing the ins and outs of every major phone release, evaluating the day-to-day performance, camera quality, battery life and endurance, and special features. Performance testing includes real-world usage scenarios like social media browsing, taking phone calls, playing games, and emailing. Throughout the year, we pit the latest devices with their closest competitors, including the Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, OnePlus, and iPhone.

Should you buy a used cheap phone?

I wouldn’t suggest buying a used cheap phone unless it’s for a secondary device. Used phones can be prone to damage and won’t have warranties. They might also be reported as stolen or lost, making them useless after purchase.

It’s better to buy a new phone and adjust your purchase based on your budget and what you want in a phone.

Should you buy a used flagship phone or a new cheap phone?

I’ve been asked this question a lot, and my answer is always this:

You should buy an older flagship phone if…

1. You want a phone with a premium and durable build quality
2. Camera performance is another priority
3. Display quality matters to you

You should buy a new cheap phone if…

1. You want a phone with a year or two more of software updates
2. You plan on buying insurance for your phone

Thank You!